8 months Flatbed experience, who can I lease on to with my own 2013 660 tractor?

Dude, I envy you being able to have a rig bought out right. That is what you meant right? That its completely paid for, if so, you will make a lot more money not having a truck payment. Just put back some extra if its got a dpf and def, all kinds of issues come up later down the road with those trucks.


Good luck to you driver!

 

Why not jus put the truck on ice grab another company driver gig for 4 months then lock it up after its done. 1yr and you can go about your business

 

It's hard to say where to take that truck.Because not all trucking jobs are alike,so they require the truck to be set up a certain way.For instance to haul tanker they only want trucks with a mid high roof.To haul flat bed the way the fifth wheel is set up to allow you to haul freight over the front of the trailer is important.Thats why I was saying it was funny to buy a truck first then look for a place to lease it to.That being said Landstar has lots of different freight and trailers.They are going to nickel and dime you for everything though.Landstar will show you a free demonstration of how there load board looks and works.If you are going to start picking your own loads you better get wise to where dead parts of the country are.For instance if your going to Flordia that load needs to pay enough to get you out of the state because most freight coming out of there is cheap.So you need to learn the rates and lanes of let's say a triangle.Like Atlanta to Chicago to Dallas.This way you make sure you are taking profitable loads,because at Landstar your on your own.

 

I honestly couldn't tell you how much to put back, hopefully someone who owns their truck can help you out. You definitely want to have a maintenance fund for stuff like PM's and road service if needed. I just know the newer trucks with the dpf and def will have you in the shop a lot on warranty work.

 

For flat bed there is Ats,Bennett Motor Express,Crst Malone,Tmt sounds interesting 75% of 100% payed to the truck,Keen,Maverick takes newbies

 

this might be your best option to put it on ice for the next 4 months. polish the rims on your home time or work on anything it might need or you might want to do to it

 

Well you've got few probs before you can jump in to O/O even tho you already own a truck I understand good opportunities and all but. You might want to heed some of the advice from these old timers or a few that have done it for a bit. If you want to put your truck to work before you can. Try to find an experienced driver hire him and lease on to a company then when you're are more financially ready to do it yourself you can. Just a option I don't have the experience to even begin to tell you where to start but good luck on it all.

 

I agree with you. just saying, not really recommending,a lot of people say,, hey I did what I had to. you are correct by being honest, it will serve you well in life. when you do get rolling just don't expect dispatchers to be honest with you. not saying none are, just don't expect it. wish you the best.

 

Personally I think this is the best option. Since you are still driving as a company driver, hang on there for a few more months until you get your 1 year experience in. Hell, take a lot of time off over the next few months while still being employed at your current carrier and work on your own truck, but just hold tight until you can say "hey I got my 1 year in!". Now is a good time to go over that truck with a fine tooth comb and fix anything that comes up. You will be surprised just how much you spend on a used truck getting it ready to roll.

As for how much money to put away... well, my answer is, as much as you possibly can. I'm assuming there is no warranty left on your truck, what is your plan if something major goes boom?

Look at the cost of an inframe on these new engines like the ISX... lol. Save, save, save.

Since you've managed to save up enough to pay cash with the level of experience you have now it's a good sign that you're on track to being successful, just be smart about it and don't rush.